A study just released by the National Association of Women Lawyers, the second annual Survey on Retention and Promotion of Women in Law Firms, shows a growing income gap between male and female lawyers as they move up the partnership ranks.
According to study results, while median Associate compensation is roughly equal for men and women, an income gap asserts itself soon afterward and appears to grow as lawyers climb up the ranks:
- Median compensation for male of-counsels in all firms is $208,000 in contrast to $188,000 for female of-counsels.
- Median compensation for male non-equity partners is $263,000 compared to $236,000 for females at that level.
- Median compensation for male equity partners is $625,000 in contrast to $537,000 for female equity partners.
The study considers, but doesn't answer the question of what causes the gender gap to appear and grow. Are women provided equal access to key clients and choice assignments? Is the under-representation of women in firm governance a factor? Are women making career choices - from area of legal specialty to the decision to work a part-time schedule - that create or contribute to the disparity?
It is interesting to note the parallels to the recent AAUW Study, which found that just one year out of college, female graduates earned less than their male counterparts in nearly every field of study.
Other study findings include:
- Women's representation at the level of equity partnership - those partners who own a portion of the firm and enjoy the greatest compensation, prestige and power - accounts in the average law firm for only one in six of all equity partners.
- Law firm governance is overwhelmingly conducted by male lawyers. Women comprise only 15% of the members of law firms' highest governing committees and fewer than 10% of managing partners. 15% of large firms have no women lawyers on their highest governing committee.
Full study report of results here.
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